Brown Caps Cooked by rampant Eagles

25 June 2009

Surrey Brown Caps fell to a brave defeat on Thursday night, chasing down an enormous total of 210 posted by the Essex Eagles – 100 of which came from Ashes bound opener Alistair Cook.

Cook, not previously noted as a dangerous Twenty20 striker, scored exactly a century off just 57 balls, hitting eleven fours and four sixes in front of a packed house at the Brit Oval. He put on 169 with captain Mark Pettini, who himself smashed 87 from 53 balls.

The pair played superbly together, scoring quickly and regularly and peppering the boundary with a wide variety of shots, some classic and some more inventive efforts clearly designed for the shortest form of the game.

They managed their 169 stand off just 110 balls, with Surrey spinners Chris Schofield, Matthew Spriegel and Usman Afzaal in the firing line for the lions’ share of the punishment, as Andre Nel bowled excellently to come away with more than reputable figures of 0/22 from his four overs.

The first wicket – from Chris Jordan – was Pettini trapped LBW and despite it bringing England all-rounder Ravi Bopara to the crease, succeeded in breaking the momentum of the innings with Bopara only managing six off four balls before being caught by Mark Ramprakash.

Another danger man, Graham Napier, was also out early on in his innings. He smashed one giant six off Grant Elliott and, trying to replicate the shot, was well held by James Benning in the deep.

Ryan ten Doeschate came in for a powerful cameo but the last over was given over to Cook, who needed thirteen to complete his century and succeeded in doing so off the penultimate ball, rewarded with a standing ovation by the 17,000 inside the ground.

Needing 10.5 an over to get anywhere close, the odds were always stacked against the Brown Caps’ chase. Scott Newman was the first to fall, understandably trying to utilise the powerplay overs and missing a big hit.

James Benning followed afterwards, bowled off his legs trying to go into the leg side and – after working with Mark Ramprakash to bring the score up to 60 – and going from nought to sixteen in just four balls, Usman Afzaal fell LBW to Bopara for a well hit 30 off 16.

Ramprakash continued to fill one end but lost a steady succession of partners as the Brown Caps attempted to keep up with the steepling rate. Stewart Walters was caught and bowled by Danish Kaneria, Grant Elliott bowled by James Middlebrook and Matthew Spriegel run out before Ramprakash himself perished, bowled by Ryan ten Doeschate attempting to heave the ball over the leg side.

With the talisman out, Chris Schofield loosened his arms and smashed James Middlebrook into the OCS Stand but was bowled next ball attempting to do the same thing again. Chris Jordan then followed soon afterwards attempting to hit a huge six over long on to leave the score on 99/9.

However, Gary Wilson played a typically sparky knock – never for one second believing that the game was lost – aided and abetted by Andre Nel, who for a third consecutive game played the role of pinch hitting tail ender.

The pair took the score up to 126 before Wilson’s time was up, caught deep in the leg side by Ravi Bopara off the bowling of Kaneria. Surrey eventually lost the match by 84 runs.

The Brown Caps play their final home game at the Brit Oval against the Middlesex Panthers this Saturday, June 27th. The game will start at 2.40pm and tickets will be available on the day.